SR. NANCY USSELMANN, FSP National Director

Travels from Los Angeles, CA

Sr. Nancy is the Director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies and a Media Literacy Education Specialist. She is a theologian, international speaker, film/TV reviewer, writer, and author of a theology of popular culture called, A Sacred Look: Becoming Cultural MysticsSr Nancy is a Doctoral Candidate in Ministry at Catholic University of America in the area of Liturgical Catechesis and holds degrees in Communications Arts and a Masters in Theology and the Arts from Fuller Theological Seminary, along with certificates in Catechetics and Media Literacy Education. Sr Nancy has extensive experience in the creative aspects of social media, print media, radio and video production as well as in marketing, advertising, retail management and administration. 

Sr. Nancy gives numerous media mindfulness workshops, presentations, parish media missions and film retreats around the country to youth, young adults, catechists, seminarians, teachers and media professionals helping to create that dialogue between faith and media. She is an Executive board member of CIMA (Catholics in Media Associates) and The Christophers as well advisory board member of Paulist Productions and St Mark's School in Venice, CA. Sr Nancy is a member of NAMLE (National Association of Media Literacy Educators), SIGNIS (World Catholic Association for Communicators) and THEOCOM (Theology and Communications in Dialogue).

Sr. Nancy Usselmann is a proud member of the elite Catholic Speakers Organization, CatholicSpeakers.com.

 

 

 

 

Sr Nancy as a presenter

SR. NANCY’S TOP WORKSHOPS:

DISCIPLESHIP TODAY: BECOMING CULTURAL MYSTICS

How can we live our faith within the secular popular culture? It is about being mystics who see God's grace present in all human longings and desires and offer the culture a soul. We can be that transformative presence in the world today, if we reflect on our incarnational and sacramental imaginations, letting Christ speak through us for a culture that seeks communion, connection and purpose. 

 

MEDIA MINDFULNESS: FAITH FORMATION IN A DIGITAL AGE 

While reviewing the Church’s understanding of media, especially in catechesis, the participants learn media mindfulness skills for their own media consumption. They also learn to bring this into all aspects of faith formation, as is mandated by the National Catechetical Directory and encouraged by the last three Popes.

LIVING VIRTUOUSLY THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media's use for information and self-expression can sometimes become an outlet for angry rants, misinformation and indiscretion. Media mindfulness is built on the foundation of critical inquiry, bringing one's values into conversation with the media messages. But what do we really value? Are those values congruent with the virtues? Virtues are habits of being that promote respect as the core of a happy life. How can we live the good life within a digital culture?

TUNING IN TO THE TOP TEN: THEOLOGY OF POPULAR MUSIC

Employing media mindfulness skills, we evaluate the top ten songs on the pop music charts as a way of entering into dialogue with our Gospel values. Through theological reflection, we examine the profound existential yearnings of the human person expressed through the powerful medium of popular music and so discover openings for dialogue and evangelization.

FORMING CATHOLIC CULTURAL IMAGINATIONS

Catholics look at the world, arts and culture through a unique lens. The qualities of sacramentality, mediation and communion provide that lens in which we view popular film and examine how our Catholic imagination can offer the world a redeeming perspective.

 

 

RETREATS/PARISH MISSIONS:

"THE WAY": A CINEMATIC PILGRIMAGE

Take a virtual pilgrimage on the Camino to Santiago de Compostela using the film, The Way. This retreat/parish mission guides participants on a spiritual journey through prayer, Scripture, film and reflection. A truly unique spiritual experience!

 

CINEMA DIVINA RETREATS

Based on the ancient form of praying the Scriptures, Lectio Divina, this retreat uses film as the text to reflect upon along with the Scriptures. Popular film speaks to humanity's deepest longings and these are brought to prayer as we evaluate our own profoundest desire for God.

 

COURAGEOUS FAITH: GIFT OF THE FEMININE GENIUS 

How do we reflect on our spiritual journeys with the eyes of Christ? What does it mean to have faith? What is particular to a woman’s courageous faith? Courage requires us to recognize that we are cherished by God, find joy and richness through our relationships and hear the call of Christ to see with new eyes. Our retreat guide is Queen Esther. 

 

  • Phone : (347) 403-2355